Automatic block-signal system.



S. H. HARRINGTON. AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 6. 1902.

Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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s. H. HARRINGTON. AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM APPLICATION FILED 1330.6. 1902. 91 8 ,539, I Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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S. H; HARRINGTON. AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM; APPLICATION FILED mm. s. 1902.

918,539. Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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S. H. HARRINGTON. AUTOMATIG BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM. 1 APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6. 1902. I 918 ,539 Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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5 5 .am mz APIPLIOATION FILED 11110.6. 1902.

Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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INVENTOR A TTORNE Y3 r": Mom": Fifi!!! cm, WASHINGTON, p. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FTCE.

SAMUEL H. HARRINGTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM 0. WILSON, OI" NYAOK, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 6, 1902.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Serial No. 134,169.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. HARRING- TON, citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Block-Signal Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to automatic block signal systems.

One of the objects is to provide a system of the above type wherein no source of en ergy is required to move the semaphore arm or other signal other than that supplied by passing trains.

Another object is to provide a durable apparatus adapted to accomplish the above which will be reliable under all conditions of weather.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and the scope of the application thereof indicated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one of varlous possible embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a cross section of a track with an associated pump chamber, showing inelevation certain other parts em bodying features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section of the same showing an accumulator in pla- Fig. 3 is vertical cross' section of the accumulator. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred type of electrically actuated valve, with associated parts. Fig. 5 is a similar view Y of a modified form of valve. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of connections between a track instrument' and a pump. Fig. 7 is a similar view of a type of electrical system adapted for use with a steam railroad. Fig. 8 is detail of a bell crank lever with associated parts.

Similar reference characters refer to similar arts throughout the several views.

T 's invention proposes, insofar as certain features are concerned, the actuation of a signal by hydraulic means maintained under pressure and preferably controlled by an electricall operated valve. In the preferred em odiment the pressure in the above hydraulic means is maintained by means of pumps operated by train actuated, horizontally movable members, and the electrical valve is controlled by the position of the train with reference to certain circuits.

Referring now to Fig. 2, 1 represents the rails of a track A of a steam or other railroad adjacent to which is a track instrument. By the expression track instrument as used throughout this descri )tion and in the following claims is meant a device placed adjacent a track and adapted to be actuated by the assage of cars thereon. Pivotally 'lnountec adjacent the rails of said track, as shown at 2, are curved levers 3 and 4 which may conveniently be formed of rail iron. To the free ends of said curved levers 8 are connected links 5 preferably by means of lips 6 engaging the flanges thereof. Positioned adjacent the track upon the side of levers 1 and preferably secured to the ties thereof is a plate 7 provided with downwardly projecting perforated lugs 8 through which links 5 are adapted to pass and by which they are adapted to be guided. Lugs 8 also serve as abutments with which one end of spiral springs 9 upon links 5 engage. The other ends of these springs take against collars 10 'fmed upon links 5. The curved levers 4 are shorter than levers 3 so as to avoid interference with links 5. Links 11 are connected to levers 4 in the same manner as links 5 are connected to levers 3 and are supported and guided by plate 7 in a similar manner. Lugs 12, however, which serve as guides for links 11, are upon the side of plate 7 opposite from lugs 8, and hence springs 18 engaging collars 14 tend to force links 11 in a direction opposite to that in which springs 9 tend to move links 5.

From the construction as above. described and shown in the drawings it will be seen that springs 9 and 13 tend to hold the curved levers with which they are respectively connected closely adjacent the traction rails 1 but prevented from contact therewith by suitable insulators 3 and 4*. It will thus be seen that upon the passing of a car over rails 1 the curved levers will first be forced away from the rails by the wheel flanges and then returned to normal position by springs 9 and 13. This operation results in a reciprocating movement of links 5 and 11. The expression fiange-actuated is used throughout the following claims with reference to that part of the car wheels.

Adjacent to track A and substantially in alinement with links 5 and 11 is a chamber B. This chamber contains, broadly, a pumping mechanism C and an accumulator D. The operation of the pumping mechanism-C will be rendered more clear if the-accumulator D is first described.

Referring now to Fig. 3, 15 represents a pressure chamber within which a plunger 16 is adapted to reciprocate. This plunger passes vertically throng a suitable stufiing box 17 and supports, by means of shoulder 18, a dome-shaped weight 19. Loosely inclosing chamber 15 and supporting the same by means of shoulder 20 thereon is a casing 21. The supporting shoulder 22 of this cas ing is adapted to fit within the lower portion of weight 19. This construction will permit avertica'l movement of weight 19 about casing 21'limited by shoulder 22 and a stop 24 formed upon the weight. It may here be stated that chamber 1 5 is designed to store oil or other fluid under pressure and the space 21* between this chamber and casing 21 which maybe called an exhaust chamber, is intended to act as a reservoir for-suchfluid after it has performed its function. Con- 'nected to-pressure chamber 15 by means-of op'ening'65 is a pressure main 66 and similarly connected to the exhaust chamber 21* by means of opening 67 is an exhaust main 68. Arranged in parallel between these mains'are a series of pumps'69 connected, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to draw fluid from exhaust main 68 by an upward movement of piston 69 and upon a downward movement thereof to force the same into pressure main 66. Valves 70 and 7 l are positioned, as indicated in Fig. 6, so as to prevent admission of fluid from the pump to main 68 and perform a like function y ith' respect to main6'6 and the pump.

The pumpin mechanism is actuated as follows. rtigidly secured within'clianiber B are four cross supports 72 and pivotally mounted upon these-supports are bell crank levers 73 and 74. The two bell crank levers 73 mounted upon two central supports '72 and have their upper arms bifurcated and adapted to support links 5. These links terminate in knobs 75 normally engaging the bifurcated arms of hell crank levers 7 3 upon the side rejinote from track A. Bell crank levers 74 upon the outer cross supports 72 'are'adapted to be engaged by links 11 in a similar manner except thatcollars 76 upon these links engage the bifurcated ends of said levers upon the inner side or side toward the track. Bell crank levers 73 are mounted upon the outer ends of the corresponding supports 7 2 so that their horizontal arms will pr ject inwardly. Bell-crank levers 74 are mounted in the reverse manner so that the free ends of the horizontal arms of all bell crank levers 73 and 74 are substantially in alinement. Each of these free ends is bifurcated and adapted to engage a collar 77 fixed upon the rod of piston 69 of the corresponding pump 69 and the parts are normally maintained in an elevated position by means of springs 78. It will thus be seen that upon a movement of links 5 and 11 by a passing train the corresponding bell crank levers will be released and the springs 78 raise the pistons respectively co-acting therewith.

Signal E is mounted upon support 'F and is here represented as a semaphore arm. The word signal is used throughout this specification and the following claims, however, in a broad sense/as denoting'any means which is adapted to indicate by its position or-condition the existence of a certain state of facts. The signal here shown is counter-weighted so as to fall into a horizontal position indicating danger. Throughout this specification and the following claims this will be termed a set condition of the signal, and its alternative position will be called released. The shorter arm of the signal is connected by a rod 39 or other desired means to a plunger 38 adapted to reciprocate in a chamber 87 through a suitable stufling box. A guiding sleeve 43 for rod 39 ispreferably secured to support F, and the upper end of said sleeve may be protected by an inverted cup 44se cured to the rod. Chamber 37 is connected by conduit 36 with an electrically actuated valve, a preferred type of which is shown in Fig. 4. ports 29*, 30* and 31 a leading respectively to exhaust pipe 33, to chamber 37 and pressure pipe 32-. lipes-33 and'32-are connected with the exhaustand pressure mains respectively. The valve 28, which is of a tubular form, is provir ed with two openings 30 and 31 one of which is adapted to be placed in 'alinement with port 30 ineach of the two alternative positions of the valve. A third opening 29 is adapted to register with ports '29 and 31 alternately as the valve is moved from one extreme position to another. Chamber 37 is thus placed in communication with the pressure main or with the exhaust main according to the position of the valve. The range of movement of the valve 28 is limited by collars fixed thereon and adapted to engage the screw caps of the stufing boxes "of the valve chest. Spring 34 engages a collar upon the lower extremity of the valve spindle and tends to hold the valve in its lowermost posi tion in which chamber 37 is in connection with the exhaust main, and signal E is in a set position. Mounted upon-an arm'extending fromthe casing of chamber 37 is an electromagnet '25 adapted to oo-act with armature 26 upon the u per end ofthe valve spindle. Thismagnet lies in a local circuit The valve chest is provided with I suddenly by the wheel flanges, are

which contains battery 58 and switch 59, as shown in Fig. 7. Switch 59 is normally held closed by means of an electromagnet 60, which in this embodiment ofmy invention lies in a circuit which includes a battery 61. and the rails 1 of one block of track A. By block is meant the section of track extending from one signal to the next adjacent one. It will be understood that at least one of these rails must be insulated at each end from the contiguous section of track and also throughout its entire length from the ground in order to prevent a short circuit. it may here be noted that upon the entry of a train in a block, magnet 60 will be shunted by a path through the trucks thereof of such low resistance that the current passing through said magnet will be insufficient to retain switch 59 in a closed position.

Another embodiment of my invention with respect to the valve is shown in Fig. 5 which differs from the valve already described in that the moving parts are made sufficiently heavy to be retracted by gravity without the aid of other equivalent for spring 34.

The operation of the above embodiments of my invention is as follows: Upon the passage of a train the curved levers 3 and 4 are forced fromthe correspondin rails by the wheel flanges, releasing the bell crank levers and comprcssing springs 9 and 13, as herein beforeexplained. The springs 78 thereupon are permitted to raise pistons 69 and oil or other fluid is drawn from the exhaust main 68 into the pumps. As the wheel flanges leave the levers, springs 9 and 13, being more powerful than, or superior to, springs 78, slowly force the pistons downward, but this action is so slow that no appreciable movement takes place until the last wheel passes the levers. This arrange ment prevents unnecessary actuation of the pumps and corresponding wear of the several arts. It will here be noted that the curved evers, which may be moved quickly and ositively connected only with the several inks and their movement is not retarded by the inertia of the fluid, pumps or associated parts. The above-described mechanism maintains the pressure in the pressure chamber, and if this pressure becomes too great the springs 9 and 13 will be unable to actuate the pumps and the curved levers will remain inactive until the pressure is reduced. Assuming the signal in released position upon the entry of a train in the block, the rails are short circuited, as previously explained. This shunts the majority of current away from magnet 60 and causes the opening of switch 59, which may be retracted by a spring or other desired means. Magnet 25 is accordingly deenergized and valve 28 retracted to a position in which the chamber 87 is in communi cation with exhaust main 68. The counterweight of signal E then causes the same to assume a "set position as the fluid flows from chamber 37 to exhaust main 68 and exhaust chamber 21. lYhen the train leaves the block a reverse series of operations takes place, the valve 28 is again retracted and chamber 37 again placed in communication with pressure main 66. The fluid from the ressurc main is then forced by the accumullrtor weight into chamber 37, plunger 38 is forced upward and the signal moved to a re leased position, in which condition it remains until another train enters the block. It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple, reliable and entirely automatic signaling system in which the actuating power is derived from passing trains. The hydraulic fluid therefor is preferably oil as it is incompres- I sible, does not expand to any appreciable extent with change of temperature and is difficult to freeze. I t will be noted as an advantageous feature of the invention that any leak in the hydraulic system or any break in the electric circuits will immediately result in the signal being placed in danger position. Also, it will be noted that although only one pump with its co-acting curved levcr is necessary, the plurality of pumps in the embodiment shown will maintain the pres sure even if one becomes inoperative. The advantage of the horizontally acting lovers in the matter of a greater throw than existing types of vertically acting train-actuated lc vers will be obvious.

As many changes may be made in the embodiment shown without departing from the scope of my invention, I intend that all statements in this description and all views shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. I desire it also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover allof the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetwecn.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination, signaling apparatus, a member so formed and connected as upon movement in one direction to actuate parts of said signaling apparatus and u 1011 movement in another direction to travc free from said signaling apparatus, a spril'ig mounted adjacent said member and adapted upon being set free after being distorted to move said nember in said first direction to cause the actuation of the parts of said signaling apparatus, and a train actuated member connected to said first member and. adapted upon being moved by a train to distort said spring.

2. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a track instrument, a spring connected with said track instrument and adapted to be compressed thereby upon said track instrument being actuated, and signaling apparatus comprising a pump connected with said spring and adapted to be actuated thereby upon said spring expanding.

3. in apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a track instrument comprising a member pivoted adjacent the rail and adapted to be forced therefrom by a wheel flange, a spring connected with said track in strument and adapted to be compressed thereby upon said track instrument being actuated, and signaling apparatus connected with said spring and adapted to be actuated thereby upon said spring expanding. i

4. In apparatus of the class describerhin combination, a'track instrument comprising a member pivoted adjacent the rail and adapted to be forced therefrom by a wheel flange, a spring connected with said track instrument and adapted to be compressed thereby upon said track instrument being actuated, and signaling apparatus comprising a pump connected with said spring and adapted'to'be actuated thereby upon said spring expanding.

5. In apparatus ofthe class described, in combination, a traction rail, a member pivoted adjacent said rail and adapted to be forced therefrom by the flange of a passing Wheel, a spring connected with said member and adapted to be compressed thereby upon the same being forced from the rail, a semaphore, hydraulic means adapted to move said semaphore, a pump adapted to'store fluid Within said hydraulic means, and means connecting said pump and said spring adapted to actuate said pump upon said spring eX- panding.

"6. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set the same, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, and horizontally acting train-actuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means constant.

'7. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, a plunger adapted to reciprocate within said chamber, a weight upon said plunger, and guiding surfaces with which said weight is adapted to co-act.

S. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means, adapted to be operated by an electrically controlled valve, adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, and flange-actuated means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber.

9. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted'to move said signal to re- I leased position, a chamber adapted to store l the'fluid whereby said hydraulic means are I operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, and a horizontally acting track instrument adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic 11183115}.

10. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, a second chamber adapted to receive the fluid discharged from said hydraulic means, and a horizontally acting track instrumentadapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means.

11. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set said signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraullc means are operated, a second chamber adapted to receive the fluid discharged from said hydraulic means, and a horizontally acting track instrument' adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means.

12. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, train-actuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, and means adapted to retard the ac tion of said train-actuated means.

13. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a-spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and train-actuated means'adaptedto control the action of said superior spring.

14. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to re leased position, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a'spring adapted to retract the piston of said ump, a superior spring adapted to drive sai piston, and ahorizontally acting track instrument adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

15. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to releasedposition, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, train-actuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, and means adapted to retard the action of said trainactuated means.

16. In combination, a signal,hydrau-lic means adapted to move. said signal to released position, ,a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means-are operated, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston. and train-actuated means adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

]7..ln combination, a signal. hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to re? leased position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain co11- stant pressure in said chamber, a second chamber adapted to receive the fluid dis-- charged from said hydraulic moans, trainactuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic n'ieans, and means adapted to'retard the action of said trainactuated means.

18. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to re leased position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said. chamber, a second chamber adapted to receive the iluid discharged from said hydraulic means, a pump adaptedto maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and train-actu ated means adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

19. In combination, signal, mechanical means adapted to set said signal, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released osition, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, train-actuated means adapted to maintain pressure in said hydraulic means, and means adapted to retard the action of said train-actuator l means.

20. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set the same, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to re leased position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said. piston, and train-actuated means adapted to control the actuation. of said superior spring.

21. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set the same, electrically actuated hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, and a horizontally acting track instrument adapted to maintain constant pressure in said hydraulic means.

22. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set the same, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by an electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, and a horizontally acting track instrument adapted to maintain pressure in said hydraulic means.

23. in combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set the "ame, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by a train-actuated electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, and a horizontally acting track instrument adapted to maintain constant pressure in said hydraulic means.

24. In combination, a signal, mechanical.

means adapted to set the same, hydraulic means adapted to move said signal to released position, and a plurality of horizontally acting track instruments adapted to actuate a plurality of pumps in parallel to maintain pressure in said hydraulic means.

25. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by an electrically controlled valve adapted to move said signal to released position, train-actuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, and means adapted to retard the action of said train-actuatcd means.

26. In combination, a track, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by a train-actuated electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, and train-actuated means independent of the rails of said track adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means.

27. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by an electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, apump adapted to maintain the pressure in said bydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and train-actuated means adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

28. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by an electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and a horizontally acting track instrument adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

29. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by a train-actuated electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, train-actuated means adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, andmeans "adapted to retard the action of said last-mentioned train-actuated means.

30. In combination, a signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by an electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, a cham ber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, a second chamber adapted to receive the fluid discharged "from said hydraulic means, a pump ada sted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and train-actuated means adapted to control the action of said superior spring.

81. In combination, a signal, mechanical means adapted to set said signal, hydraulic means adapted to be set in operation by a train-actuated electrically controlled valve and adapted to move said signal to released position, a chamber adapted to store the fluid whereby said hydraulic means are operated, means adapted to maintain constant pressure in said chamber, a pump adapted to maintain the pressure in said hydraulic means, a spring adapted to retract the piston of said pump, a superior spring adapted to drive said piston, and train actuated means adapted to control the action'of said'superior spring.

32 In combination, signaling apparatus,

a member so formed and connected as upon movement in one direction to actuateparts in said signaling apparatus and upon movement in another direction to travel free from said signaling apparatus, a spring mounted adjacent said member and adapted upon being set free after being distorted to move said member in said iirst'direction, and'movable means connected to said first member and located adjacent the rail and adapted to be actuated by a Wheel to distort said spring.

33. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a signal, means normally holding said signal in clear position, train actuated means engaging said holding means and adapted upon actuation from its normal position to release said holding means to permit the signal to be set-at danger, and means to retard the return movement of said train actuated means to its normal position.

In testimony whereof I after my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL H. HARRINGTON. Witnesses JULIAN S. Woosrnn, HENRY BEST. 

